24 Jul 2010

France World Cup squad suspended for next game

2:04 pm on 24 July 2010

France's 23-member World Cup squad has been suspended for the country's next game after their first-round exit from this year's tournament.

The decision by new coach Laurent Blanc was approved by the French Football Federation (FFF) council.

France's next match is a friendly against Norway, whose national coach Egil Olsen said he had no objection to facing a new-look France team.

France's ignominious departure from South Africa followed a players' boycott of a training session in support of striker Nicolas Anelka, who was sent home for insulting coach Raymond Domenech.

Laurent Blanc was appointed on 2 July to replace Domenech.

The first official game under Laurent Blanc is on 3 September when France host Belarus in a Euro 2012 qualifier.